Elementary Schools in Arlington County Public Schools

The Arlington County Public Schools district in Virginia is home to 25 diverse elementary schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. While the district as a whole performs well above the state average, there is a significant achievement gap between the highest-performing and lowest-performing schools within the system.

At the top of the district's elementary schools are Cardinal Elementary and Tuckahoe Elementary, which are consistently ranked among the best in Virginia with 5-star ratings and over 90% proficiency in math and reading. Other standout schools include Arlington Traditional and Jamestown Elementary, which also boast exceptional academic outcomes despite serving more diverse student populations. In contrast, schools like Carlin Springs Elementary, Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary, and Randolph Elementary struggle with lower rankings and test scores, often correlated with higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students.

The data suggests that factors beyond just district-level resources, such as specialized programs, student-teacher ratios, and socioeconomic status, play a significant role in shaping academic outcomes across the Arlington County Public Schools system. While the district overall performs well, addressing these disparities and ensuring equitable access to high-quality education remains an important challenge.